Do Art

Such an inspiring and fabulous idea.

Jasmine Thomas-Girvan's Gardening in the Tropics Sculpture Photo by Michelle Jorsling, courtesy y art gallery. How to describe it? The extraordinary work of Jasmine Thomas-Girvan, who twists pieces of palm fronds into tongues of flame, who places a cage within a cage within a cage, whose human figures twist into tortured, glorious creatures: bodies illuminated by the mahogany that encases them? I am referring, of course, to Thomas-Girvan's most recent show held at the Y Art and Framing Gallery at Taylor Street, Port of Spain. The show took its title from Olive Senior's now classic collection of poetry and fused poetry with sculpture to create meditations that, for me, were profound and deeply affecting. This was work commenting on society: Caribbean and beyond (Thomas-Girvan was born in Jamaica but lives in Trinidad). Consider 'Seeing Red', a lacquered box painted post-box red (of is it blood red?) with a figure sitting with legs split atop it, fingers to its ears. ...

I wish all of you a wonderful christmas, Hanukka, weekend or whatever it is that you are celebrating. Enjoy some peaceful days with your loved ones, have fun and calm and celebrations.

This is how it should look like outside, right now. Instead Leipzig is experiencing a grey day with drizzle and therefore a wet cold that creeps into ones bones. Going by the forecast the next three days aren't going to be any better, weatherwise. So I have to resort to other things to get myself into a christmas mood. My favourites for this are: "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, hot chocolate tea (Yes, there is chocolate tea, but you have to search to find a good one. I've succeeded just this week after 2 years of search!), candle light, christmas music (currently I LOVE the christmas longplayer by Michael Bublé), watching "Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel - Three wishes for Cinderella" and if all else fails: watching the christmas scenes of the first Harry Potter movie. What I'm not too fond of is the grocery shopping before christmas, however it has to be done and so I'm off now to get it over with. My treats for completing thi...

So, yesterday I unpacked, installed and used my next step to independence: my sleek black HP laser printer.* Today I'm preparing for the next step towards independence. * Yes, I know, my life is terribly boring. But I have really nice friends. My friend A brought me some waste tokens, so I can now get rid of my old tape deck.

The longest night of the year and from tomorrow on days are getting longer again. Finally, sigh.

"In between" is a description not just for the Mauna Loa in the above pic which I took standing on Mauna Kea right next to an awesome observatory, but it also describes how I feel at the moment. In between. It feels kinda weird, good and bad luck have struck a fragile balance during the last few days. For example, I was the only one out of my group to have to work today, bad luck, however today every worker got a little sweet christmas present, which is good. So yeah, in between it is for me.

Not the usual stuff you'd expect for Hawaii pics, right?

Okay, so this picture might not symbolize Hawaii for you, but it does for me. Why? Well, it was the best day of the year 2008 for me, my trip to the Mauna Kea Observatories. It was a Tuesday, we were picked up at 1 PM at a frozen yoghurt shop. We've enjoy driving up over the plateau and then to the middle station (where we had a nice Dinner) before we drove through the clouds and even higher up to the observatories. It's beautiful isn't it? We've witnessed the most extraordinairy sunset and afterwards we were watching stars through a telescope that the guide had brought with him. I don't remember the tour guides name, but he was fantastic. I've loved every minute of this tour. As I've said previously, 2008 was a great year for me. Enjoy your remaining Sunday and have a good start into Christmas week.

Oh how I wish that I had had this idea. However, I didn't, I just took the picture of it for your amusement. Have a great weekend.

next year? This would be quite some fun, but it's not in my goals. My main goal for next year is independence and this doesn't add up with another Hawaii vacation next year. Sadly. *sigh* But I've made some major steps towards independence and a brilliant 2012. Yesterday I finally got rid of the big paper boxes in my cellar, that had been waiting for this happening for about a year. I also threw the trash books into the paper trash container. And I've ordered my HP laser printer. Which is a major step towards independence for me. I've also got my new water kettle, but this is a story for another post. And through getting rid of some of this stuff I've also lost a wee bit of unnecessary bodyfat. I'm constantly under 59 kg now! Wohoo. Next is the 58 kg. But no more weighing for at least one week, don't want to get too obsessive. XD I've also send out 7 postcrossing cards this week, which is above my normal weekly limit of 4 (budget restriction). Howeve...

Ranking years I'd say 2008 was a definite 7 (with 10 being AWESOME). It was the year I've been to Venice (job), Edinburgh (marathon vacation, but no marathon due to lack of training after the halfmarathon in April 2008), Paris (job), Besancon (job) and San Francisco and Hawaii (Marathon vacation, again without the marathon). What an amazing year. After that everything went downhill till January 2011. Next year is going to be awesome because we will make it so. Don't listen to the proclaimers of the end of the world. Their song is getting old and boring. How often have they proclaimed the end. And look we are still here!! Yes, we face severe problems, however we are working on their solutions. People don't give up so easily anymore, instead we fight together for the ideas and the stuff that is important to us. Don't believe me? Just look at this past year: the Arab Spring, the help and prayers for Japan, Occupy Wall Street and then the politicians and diplomats worki...

...something wonderful is going to happen... Wednesday, December 14, 2011 4:00pm until 7:00pm Fordham University Friends of Films for Photographers 113 West 60th Street, Visual Arts Wing, Room SL24H It is a well-known fact that there is no better way to end your semester (or year) than by watching all 201 minutes of Chantal Ackerman's phenomenal 1975 film "Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles." For a first time ever I will encourage attendees not to do any research before the screening, as it will ruin your 201 minutes of domestic bliss. All welcome. Wear comfy clothes. Popcorn and espresso will be provided on demand. Short bathroom breaks are permitted, though discouraged. Nappers will be shamed. You will remember it forever, which says a tremendous amount. See you there!

How was the year 2011 for you? Did you like it? Was it a good or less good year for you? If I had to rate 2011 for me I'd say it ranged somewhere between 2.5 and 3, on a scale from 0 to 10 with 10 being AWESOME! 2010 was a 1. So there is plenty of room for improvement and I certainly plan to make 2012 a fantastic year. And to get a headstart I'm already preparing for the amazing things that will happen and that I will make happen. ;-) So you might ask what it is I'm currently doing. Let me tell you: 1. As I've already told you before, I've drawn up a budget. I use it even for this month already and it comes along nicely. 2. I've set goals for 2012 and have written them down. All of them are measurable, some are easy to reach, others need perseverance, patience and a pinch of good luck too. Setting goals is another first to me. 3. I'm getting rid of clutter. This has been an ongoing battle for the last three years. I've gotten rid of tons of clothes, shoe...

Have a fantastic new week everyone! It's going to be brilliant, with Mercury going direct again and us all making the best of it.

Good times: Sunday bikerides with Chris!

Enjoy your weekend!

This was actually one of my first lomographic pictures.

Beautiful isn't it? Have a great day.

Ahh, how I wished I could go there now. Instead I'm at home and my nose is preparing for a marathon, means I'm sick. Hopefully all of you are healthy.

Antonio Banderas in The Skin I Live In This is the creepiest Almodovar film yet, and that's saying something for the great Spanish director. La Piel Que Habito is an uneasy blend of suspense/thriller and melodrama. To describe the plot is to rob the film of part of its considerable power. That said, the movie follows a crazed plastic surgeon (Antonio Banderas in the performance of his career) and his experiments on a woman he keeps captive at his home. From the start, an overwhelming sense of mystery intrigues each scene. Slowly, bit by bit, Almodovar lays down plot pieces of a complex puzzle which coils into a frenzy of sex, violence, gore and murder. The film falters and lags, however, in its middle section, especially after Almodovar deploys the device of the expository conversation to reveal crucial plot points. Also, the film sometimes lacks the flair we expect from Almodovar. It's as though the weirdness overwhelms key plot sequences which, in an Almodovar film, normally...

FROM THE ORGANISERS: Opening Reception Thursday 08 December 2011 6.30 - 9.00pm at 37 Fitt Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain RSVP 740 7597 / medullaartgallery@gmail.com Exhibition continues until 22 December 2011 ABOUT THE SHOW Conceived as an open studio event that takes place outside of Lovelace’s studio, Studio Swap will showcase many new, large-scale paintings, smaller works, and a projected piece. Lovelace’s new, large-scale paintings demonstrate the artist’s increased focus on the human body in various environments and situations. He has been using performance as part of his work process, executing and photographing specific actions, out of which he then develops his paintings. Short stop-motion films are also produced from these performances. Parallel to his work with the body and movement, Lovelace has continued his long-standing series of Carnival and 'Mas' oriented paintings. A selection of the most recent of these works will also be presented. The artist has also been ...

Good morning, I wish everybody a fantastic new week. I took the above picture this spring. It's a good reminder, that beauty is everywhere around us and that we just need to take a closer look. Open our eyes to the beauty of our world. Just a few minutes I was lucky enough to catch this: A rainbow. Just outside my window and literally a few seconds after I had taken this picture it was gone. So, whenever you see something beautiful, stop to appreciate it in all its glory, you can always spare a second or two for these things. And it's those moments that make our life beautiful and worthwhile.

Isn't this fantastic and beautiful? I wish I could create something amazing like this.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone.

Don't you think? I really like this picture, it says sooo much depending on your very mood. I took it at the Darss, on the way to the High Dune near the Pramort . Ah, how I wish to go there now. Instead I'm going to Chemnitz to an art exhibition with my parents. Since the weather is nice, I'll take my lomo with me. Tomorrow is Pampering Sunday for me, meaning lots of home spa treatments followed by amazing coffee and pondering time at my local Coffee Culture . Which is less expensive and makes a much better caffe latte then Starbucks. Plus you get to collect stamps which leads to the free 13th coffee or food item. Beat that Starbucks. Okay, it isn't that cozy as Starbucks and they don't have free internet access, however after the first coffee it starts to grow on you. One word of advice though, their hot chocolate has a weird taste so there is another point for Starbucks.

  detail of ceramic works by recent students from a range of courses. From left to right; Ali Hutton, Kay Bazley, Katherine Kennedy, Peter Lewis, Raku firing, Ilona Ede. Do you have an interest in hand-built and wheel-formed ceramics? The Certificate III in Ceramics is a full-time, 3 day per week ceramic speciality course, which is completed over 1 year, and an information and assessment session is being held at the Nepean Arts and Design Centre on Thursday December 8 at 12.30pm. The Certificate III in Ceramics will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience in a range of ceramic techniques including the use of the pottery wheel, the hand-building of sculptural work, mold-making, surface decoration, glaze technologies and kilns and firing. For those with an interest in working with clay, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain comprehensive skills in many aspects of ceramics. Why not join other like-minded people in the best ceramic art facilities  in W...

librito2 from osvaldo cibils on Vimeo . librito2. artist book and performance. librito2 and the hands of bboy hehehe. librito2. drawings on paper. 4 x 4 cms. 42 pages. osvaldo cibils 2011

Natalie Smith - gallery owner, Jo Ernsten - guest speaker, Bruni Guenther-Tsapilis - featured artist NADC Fine Arts teacher Jo Ernsten gave the opening address at Bruni Guenther-Tsapilis's exhibition  at Sassafras Creek Gallery   on  Saturday 26th November. Bruni has recently completed the Advanced Diploma of Fine Art at NADC, majoring in printmaking. As Bruni's printmaking teacher, Jo was able to talk knowledgeably about Bruni's approach to her themes and their relationship to contemporary practice. Apart from being a great show it is also an excellent gallery space with good food and stunning views over Sydney basin from its back deck - definitely worth a look! Open until February. Late  applications are currently being accepted for the Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts for 2012. For more information, ring the Fine Arts Head Teacher on ph 9208 9513.  Jo Ernsten, Bruni Guenther - Tsapilis

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Casey Ruble Abby Goldstein Carleen Sheehan  December 6, 2011 through January 30, 2012  Opening reception: Thursday, December 8th 6 to 8pm  CENTER GALLERY  Fordham University 113 West 60th St. New York, NY 10023 T: 212.636.6303 Fordhamvisualarts.com  Hrs: Monday to Sunday 9am to 7pm Sponsored by the Theatre and Visual Arts Department

A double exposure. The striations are from the scan of the positive, I think they give this picture a very special edge. At first I was annoyed when I saw this jpg, but now... It is really funny but I really like trick photographies much better than the normal ones. Since it is December 1st, I've opened the first door to my christmas calendar. I've found a drum. What did you find?